Independence Day, most often referred to as the Fourth of July celebration, is a very special time to celebrate a very special event in the history of our nation. It’s a day set aside to celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This day gives us many opportunities to spend time with our families and friends and just relax in the freedom and traditions of the significance of this day. It is more than a celebration or a long weekend; we as Americans need to take time to remember the significance and the price paid for this day and also the value of freedom.
The word freedom is a word that has been ringing around the world louder and louder in recent months. We have seen the struggles, battles and the victories won by people in the pursuit of freedom. Freedom, for many has come with a great price; and requires a great price to protect it. Many brave men and women gave their all without seeing the prize of their pursuit. Freedom is a privilege, which we as Americans have boasted about for many years, but it has not come cheap. Most of us have been fortunate to live in a free country and possibly have never had to fight for freedom as many have. America
A monument, symbolic of freedom stands towering above New York Harbor Europe , how we strained our eyes to get the first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. What a sight! The songwriter pinned these words--"In New York Liberty Liberty
Our freedoms are being attacked in many ways today. It is time to pause in our busy life-schedules and count the freedoms that we have lost or could potentially lose. Let us declare this day, July 4, 2011 as the day to renew our commitment to freedom and declare that our brave men and women who sacrificed so much will not have been wounded or died in vain!
True freedom involves more than just living in a “free” country. One may be physically free; one may be socially free; one may enjoy the full enjoyment of the social and political privileges and yet be a captive. One may be mentally free and have all the knowledge the educational system offers without being free indeed. One's intellect may be sound, one's mental vision clear and far-reaching and still be a prisoner.
True freedom starts and ends with “Come unto me all who are loaded down with the burdens of life, those whose strength is almost gone, those whose life has no meaning, the rich, the poor, the wretched, the blind, the outcast, from the lowest in society to the highest, and I will give you rest”[2] What we do in between the beginning and the end is up to us!
May God bless all the men and women in uniform today and hope you have a great Independence Day.
“May God Bless America
GAL 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
[1] Neil Enloe
[2] Translation of Matt , unknown
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